Its tainted atmosphere is a result of year-round pollen contamination, which can block even the most hardy of equipment and is found everywhere in up to 30cm high pollen drifts. The colonists have adjusted by wearing sealed masks outdoors and installing blowers at all entrances. Despite this, pollen still manages to get everywhere. One of the more common pollens has left a permanent reminder on all who live on Ninaan for any length of time: it permanently stains any exposed skin yellow. Certain Ninaans have turned this trait into an artwork using it to create permanent patterns on their skin.

For some as yet unexplained reason about 12% of all S'mrii born on Ninaan have bifurcated corneas (the so-called ‘double eye’ syndrome). These function normally and although disconcerting, this causes no actual disability except slightly blurred vision. While this problem can be corrected by surgery it does carry a significant probability of total blindness, which is why so many S'mrii from Ninaan have elected to retain their distinctive double-eye structure.